ercookies | TDM 010: PARTNER UP, PARTNER

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TDM 010: PARTNER UP, PARTNER

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” barracks. Your inventory will be found a day later, wrapped up haphazardly and delivered to each person's makeshift home.

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I. Laid Bare Basics

There is a new addition to the scenery at the beach, and everyone is welcome! Especially new arrivals, who will be ushered to the recently-established Laid Bare Spa, where (provided they don't slip away from the bots' helpful grasp) their uncomfortably wet, sandy clothing will be stripped away and they will be lovingly pampered by the cold metal hands of the resident robots. Long-time Islanders and newbies alike are welcome to enjoy such amenities as hot and cold baths, sauna rooms, scrub-downs, thorough whippings with birch brooms, skin treatments, massage and energy work, and more! All rooms are thoughtfully decorated with tasteful murals of naked and disrobing bodies.

Maybe you'll see someone you recognize?! (Maybe you'll see... you?)

Islanders who happen to find their clothing mysteriously missing are welcome to borrow a Laid Bare branded towel to cover up with on their way home.

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II. Tattoo to You, Too

The Augur understands that sometimes, it's difficult to find a partner to indulge you in those favorite Auspicious Acts - especially for new arrivals, but surely even long-time residents could benefit from a little assistance now and then. That is why ever-benevolent entity has gifted Her precious Islanders with tattoos which feature their most secret, urgent, and/or shameful of desires! (Even if that desire is to simply complete a Bingo.)

The tattoo may be a picture or a word, and it can appear anywhere on the body. At first it is pleasantly warm to the touch, like a soft glow of light on your skin. It soon becomes apparent - through either robot advice or a notification on your communication device - that your task is to find a match for your tattoo and complete the depicted act with that person. The longer one goes without completing the act, the more the tattoo seems to heat up, until it feels like it is burning into your skin.

Take too long, and the tattoo may become permanent. Otherwise, the tattoo will fade within hours of completing the Auspicious Act.

[ For TDMers: feel free to select any favorite kink for this prompt! If you complete a kink that doesn't appear on your card, you may switch one square for the completed kink. For current players: by participating on (tagging into) this TDM, you may switch one kink into your card (it must be the kink in the toplevel prompt you responded to). ]

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III. Creepy Crawly Caterpillar Crawl

Are you on the hunt for credits? Then have the robots got a task for you! The 'bots of the Nameless Island are recruiting Islanders to go bug collecting in the caves, crevices, and hollowed-out logs of the wilderness. The quarry? The (shudder - literally, the robots will shudder) doom-summoning harbinger bug. They describe these creepy creatures as fat, fuzzy, and rainbow-colored, with long, fluffy antennae that look like rabbit's ears.

The robots describe these critters as so dangerous that Islanders should only hunt them in pairs. Should your team return successful, you both will be rewarded very handsomely for every caterpillar caught!

The bugs are typically very docile and seem to enjoy soft pets, judging by the cooing and squeaking noises they make (especially to scritches behind their "ears"). Poke or disturb them however, and they may bite! Body parts bitten by angry caterpillars will swell up cartoonishly, and can only be treated by having someone else suck the venom out. Good thing you're traveling with a partner!

The 'bots strongly recommend against keeping these little buggies as pets, but they're not your dad.

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N A V I G A T I O N

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

He'd just... missed Caspar. That is all. Linhardt lets the hug linger but then steps back, having let it say what he wanted it to. "Ah, yes, that's true. If it's cool." What other reason does Caspar need?

Linhardt looks at Caspar. He's acting weird. His voice has gone all flat. That's definitely some version of upset. Now see. This. This is why he never talks about these things with people he knows! They, things end up in situations he doesn't know what to do with.

"Here or in general?" Because Linhardt can't help it; he has to make sure they're on the same page so he can control what Caspar knows. "And you forgot magic, that also sustains my interest."

Yes. If it's cool. It makes perfect sense. The Rule of Cool is unspoken.

"Wait what? What do you mean in general?! Wait you were doing stuff and you never told me?" Caspar actually has the audacity to pout. "I thought you would let me know if you were like... dating someone or whatever! Lin, buddy. What the heck?" Apparently Linhardt didn't get the memo that Caspar was to be privy to every aspect of his life. "I would have taken you out for drinks or something to celebrate."

"Well hey, that's okay. You're being safe about it right?" He lowers his voice, very serious for a moment. Just for that moment.

"Anyways, look. Here, I don't have a real gift but I hope this will do." He rummages in his pocket for a second before producing an owl feather, ordinally given by the professor, but he has plenty. He shoves it at Linhardt affirmingly.

Wait, what? What is happening right now? So Caspar is upset... because Linhardt didn't tell him he was taking people to bed? Is that something he was supposed to tell people about?

"So you would have told me? Why?" Is this normal? How many people was he supposed to tell this to? "I wasn't dating anyone." That he would have mentioned, of course. That's a social relationship. Which wasn't what Linhardt had been doing, "Was I supposed to be celebrating?"

He doesn't even dignify the safety question with a response. Instead he shoots Capsar that look that says 'I'm the Healer, remember?'

Except wait. Linhardt's hands fumble around the feather so it doesn't fall to the ground.

"Caspar, are you giving me a gift because I had sex?" He just has to make sure he understands what's happening right now.

"Uh, yeah I would have told you! I tell you everything!" He gives Linhardt a friendly jab in the side. "Oh so you were just like. Messin' around or whatever? I guess that's slightly less of a big deal. I thought you had hooked up with someone." He looks a little relieved.

"Anyways you can keep the feather. Also celebration of our new tats I guess! And yeah I mean it's still kinda a milestone isn't it? Didn't know you were already doing that kinda stuff you sly dog, you!" He laughs a his own joke(?) and gives Linhardt a very overstated wink.

"No, I have, I mean that's-" Why were the words gone? Until two minutes ago, Linhardt had been completely unaware he'd done anything wrong and he's still not entirely certain what it is, but it feels wrong. This unknown thing, "Caspar, you're acting upset and pretending you're not. I've known you long enough to tell."

Already? Weirdly, of the two of them, Caspar was more serious about the rules. Maybe this is just one example of that?

"Do you disapprove, is that it?"

Ah. Caught. Go figure, he really can't get anything past Linhardt.

"Well. I mean I'm not like. Upset or- I mean not really I just kind of thought you know we would have like. You know if you're just doing that kind of thing as friends or something maybe you would have like asked me unless that's weird. Is it weird? I don't know. Maybe that is weird. Haha wow. Some vacation!"

Did he really just say that? The tattoo on his neck is itching again and he slaps it nervously.

Why are they still standing up? This feels like it's suddenly become too important of a conversation for that, so Linhardt reaches out to take his friend's hand and simply sits down in the grass, pulling Caspar down with him. He keeps his hand on Caspar's sleeve to prevent him from slapping himself again.

"Caspar. Since when has something being weird prevented either of us from doing it?" Be logical.

"I wasn't aware that you found me attractive," Linhardt explains. Then he sighs because while that's the easy reason, Caspar of all people deserves the full reasoning. Also, how has this happened twice?

"I wasn't." He pauses, "I think we may need to circle back. Do you remember how I mentioned different Fodlans? If you'll indulge me for a moment, can you tell me which house Professor Byleth led, and which house we were in at the academy?"

He allows himself to be tugged down, this is totally normal. He's used to his part-time duty as Lin's stand-in pillow. He plunks down next to him and fixes Linhardt with that all-too-sincere gaze.

"I guess nothing. Haha oh like- remember the time with the noodles? Oh man. Seteth was so mad." He pries his attention back to the matter at hand. "So you don't think it's weird? I mean, I guess as long as it doesn't change anything." The comment about finding him attractive gets an admonishing cluck out of the shorter man.

"UH. Excuse me? Caspar to Lin, hello hello! Do you see these?" He points at his own face, like that's supposed to be very obvious, "I have eyes? In my head? And despite rumors I have half a brain! Of course I do! You're beautiful, bro. If anyone said otherwise they'd be lying or Hubert!"

Oh ok serious talk again, he had got caught up in himself again. He puts on the focused face.

"Ok yeah, I do remember you said that..." He's used to Lin's what-ifs, so he doesn't really consider the implications. "Well, yeah- Professor lead the Blue Lions house. You and me started in the Black Eagles, but the Professor was really cool and let us join his class."

Yes, sitting down is much better. Because yes, he does remember the time with the noodles and how angry Seteth was, but Seteth always considered him a disappointment (along with 86% of the academy's residents), so Linhardt isn't sure why Caspar is bringing that up now? Oh. Oh.

Because he's uncomfortable and rambling. Yes. That's a habit Caspar has.

"I don't know if it's weird. Does it matter?"

Doesn't change anything. Right. This is Caspar and he's uncomfortable. Linhardt sighs and shifts around so he's resting his head on Caspar's shoulder, which is helpful because it means he's not looking at Caspar when he goes bright red and it means he has a shoulder to press his face into. He's still not used to people just saying things like that.

"So that's why you reacted so strongly when I suggested cutting my hair that one time. Yes, I think Ferdinand is more Hubert's type."

This isn't his Caspar. Linhardt doesn't know how to feel about that. He's glad, because he's coming to the realization that his might be one of the Fodlans with the rockiest future, but also sad. He still misses his Caspar.

"In my Fodlan, the Professor led the Black Eagles. We remained with Lady Edelgard."

Caspar easily accommodates to let Lin get comfortable. This is nice and comforting and familiar. Just the same, sleepy friend he's had since he was a kid.

"There's no need to get all bashful about it." He laughs as it seems the blush didn't escape him. Being able to read your best friend like a book goes both ways, after all. An assuring hand smooths over the mage's back.

"Yeah, well I mean. of course you can do what you want it's your hair, but I do think it's really nice like this." He tilts his head, "Oh, is he? I was just meaning to say that Hubert has no taste." Perhaps a little mean of him, but it was low-hanging fruit.

"Oh. That's so strange. So things happened differently for both of us then, but we're both here now. We remember some of the same stuff, clearly. Like the noodles, and me telling you not to cut your hair. We stayed with Edelgard though... huh. Crazy." He doesn't actually seem to bothered, though he is quiet for a period of time while he mulls over the information.

"Things must have gone really differently then. Are you okay? She didn't make you fight a bunch did she? I guess it doesn't matter too much though. We're both here and you're still my friend right? We have the important things that are the same. I mean- not to say the war wasn't important but just... I guess I'd rather not let a war define me or you. You're still my best friend Linhardt, who is super cool and smart and very good looking." He nods firmly, smacking a fist into his open hand. "That's what matters. I'd never hurt you, and I know you wouldn't hurt me."

"I'm not bashful," Linhardt retorts, wrinkling his nose, although he does lean into the touch. Caspar is somehow a presence that manages to be at once chaotic and comforting. A comforting tornado. He yawns, "I'm just not used to people saying things like that to me."

Oh, that's right. Not his Caspar. Linhardt smiles, this time it's a conspiratorial smile. The smile of a friend with information to share, "Well, of course Hubert has no taste. He drinks coffee and likes Ferdinand. They bring each other gifts. It's absurd but it keeps them out of my business."

Now it's Linhardt's turn to go quiet. Is he okay. Caspar's the first person who's asked. No, he's not, but was he this way when he arrived or is it because of what he's learned since?

"Yes, of course we're still together and still friends. Of course I wouldn't hurt you."

He's still quiet, sitting against Caspar for several moments.

"I was going to explain, but I think the answer to your question is no. I'm not okay."

"You are so bashful! Look at that!" He gives Linhardt's cheek a playful tug before slinging an arm around him. "Well that's kind of a crime isn't it? I figured people'd be telling you that kinda stuff all the time."

He's delighted by the gossip on Hubert and Ferdinand too, so much so he slaps his knee.

"Get outta here! Seriously? Gifts? No way, no way! Hubert and Ferdinand! That's hilarious! I can't even imagine. Oh wow." The mirth dies down a little though, when Linhadrt goes quiet again. He's used to silence around the man, but there are different types of silences. This is the heavier kind. He doesn't pester, just lets him have his moment to think.

"Yeah?" The tone immediately dropping from jovial and his smile fades. "Aw Lin. I'm sorry. I can't really imagine what you've been through. I'm glad we're together in the Fodlan you come from. I hope I'm nice to you there, too." Slowly he flops back, letting Linhardt rest against his chest. "If you wanna talk about it you can. I won't force you though, but I'm here for you, you know. No matter what. I'll do whatever I can to help fix things, or just listen if that's what you need. Heck, I might even let you talk me into a few naps. But just a few."

"I am not." Something about being around Caspar reverted Linhardt to being around nine years old. Bashful. He isn't bashful. Linhardt makes a grumpy sound and swats at the hand on his cheek, "The only time I was called beautiful in Fodlan was that one time back in the academy where you started a fight with him afterward."

And Caspar had been the one who'd wanted to go to a tavern to begin with!

Linhardt smiles; his Caspar had the same reaction to Hubert and Ferdinand. And he definitely will need to relay the information he'd gotten from Lorenz to Caspar at some point in the future.

But for now, he'd rather lie next to Caspar, using his friend as his personal pillow as he has for years. It's comforting to lay his head on Caspar's chest and listen to his heartbeat. It's a consistent reminder that Caspar is alive.

"A few naps." Linhardt reaches out and touches Caspar's forehead as though he's checking for a fever, "Are you certain? That's a generous offer."

Then he sighs; he can't hide things from Caspar. Not personal things. Caspar's too earnest, and while Linhardt knows Caspar won't prod him, he also knows Caspar will worry until he tries to explain. And perhaps he'll end up with a collection of owl feathers.

"You're always nice to me, Caspar. I just constantly feel as though I'm going to get something wrong, and someone is going to die. Not just on the battlefield. I don't know how to train healers without the Church's teachings, and I don't know what to tell the soldiers who can't sleep or who wake up screaming."

"Our supply lines are constantly on the verge of failing, the war is taking such a toll on the people... and Edelgard wants to start another one against the Slitherers afterward. Against people who can turn a city into Ailell in under 10 minutes? While tripling our administrative area and trying to repair a war-torn continent?"

There are no good decisions to be made. Is he even doing the right thing by involved? But what's the alternative?

"I'm not seeing anyone, and I'm not." He sighs, "Caspar, I find strangers to take to bed because I just want to do something that's good sometimes. To make someone happy, to have a positive influence on the world."

It sounds pathetic. No. It is pathetic.

"I don't know if your Linhardt is doing the same thing. He may not be."

"You so are, and he totally had it coming." Caspar says this very matter-of-factly, almost a little proud of that incident. "The guy was doing it in a creepy way and not a complimentary one."

The hand on his forehead earns a brief laugh from Caspar.

"I know, I know, it sounds crazy but I care about you that much, so just appreciate it." He usually had a hard time sitting still, but if he was going to nap for any reason, Lin would be it. He did have somewhat of a pacifying effect on Caspar.

Everything else comes as a surprise. His smile fades again as he listens.

"Lin..." Ah, there's that pit in his stomach that he doesn't like very much. "Lin that's terrible." Quietly, he's glad that things didn't turn out that way for him, that he did end up turning against the empire in the end, but that does very little for poor Lin. "The way you say that, it makes it sound like you're a hostage." Not so much in the literal sense, but you don't have to be in chains to be stuck in a situation. Honestly, hearing the whole admission makes him want to cry.

"I don't think he is. Me and him are traveling together, he's writing a book I think." There's no judgement in his voice though. War, regardless of how it turns out, is ruinous in so many ways. He'd be lying if he said he didn't have the nightmares sometimes, too. Everybody did, that's just how it was. You kill people, and you don't forget that. It breaks his heart knowing that Lin was made to though.

He pulls the slender man closer, tightly hugging him.

"I'll stay here then, with you. I think you need me more than he does right now. Don't worry, no matter what I'll look out for you."

"Yes, he was rather annoying." And therefore it had been satisfying to watch his tune change when he'd realized they weren't random students. Generally, Linhardt isn't very fond of their positions, but once in a blue moon they end up useful, "I much prefer it when you say it."

"Believe me, I'm honored." Caspar never stayed still, even when people dared him to. Linhardt's friend was a chaotic bundle of energy, and he isn't any more likely to change than Linhardt is. But sometimes they compromise.

A hostage. Linhardt smiles, but it's not a particularly happy smile, "I suppose in a metaphorical way. Hostages of our own decisions." Because leaving would be even worse; to let the consequences of their actions fall on the people of Fodlan instead of on himself. Linhardt may be a coward, but he draws the line at getting others hurt.

But more importantly, the war is over for Caspar. His smile turns warm, "I'm glad for you. Is it odd to say I wish I could read his book? Or would it be my book?"

He would be more than content to continue that line of discussion, but Caspar knocks the wind out of him with his declaration of protection, "Thank you, Caspar. That's nice to hear." It's honest, to the point, and sincere, "I'm sure your Linhardt will be fascinated by all of this."

"Although he might judge me for not figuring out this tattoo problem more quickly." Linhardt leans back on Caspar's chest and holds up his wrist again, "I fear I'm not representing the Linhardt collective very well right now." He gives his friend an encouraging smile, to say 'I'm okay, thank you for listening'.

Edited 2021-02-20 21:28 (UTC)

"I think you two would get along." It's funny, imagining the meeting of two Linhardts. Caspar entertains that thought for a while. Two Lin's would be great, actually. The more the better. One could sleep while the other keeps him company... or maybe they'd both sleep. Either way, Caspar presses his cheek into the top of Lin's head. "He'd probably have a billion questions for you. I wish you could both be here, but you're sorta the same person so...?"

"Well, maybe we can put our heads together. It's a feather right? And like... this place wants all kinda funny business." He struggles a moment but can't seem to put the pieces together. "Well we have a feather! Actually we have two!" He produces another owl feather from seemingly nowhere. Byleth had a habit of giving them to him for lack of anything else.

He stares at it intently, and it's clear from the expression in his face he's already lost the plot or lost interest in whatever it was he was tryin to work out in his mind.

"Hey are you still ticklish?" He doesn't wait for an answer, he just dives the feather into the crook of Linhardt's neck.

"Oh, I agree. I would love to meet myself from other Fodlans. We could conclusively answer the question of how much of a personality is derived by one's experiences." Because of course that's what the group of Linhardts would do. What else would they do?

...

Guide Caspars, apparently. Because oh dear. Linhardt badly hides a smile as Caspar shoots past what Linhardt is suspecting is the correct conclusion. Then he's looking at a feather and now there's one near his neck.

"No, Caspar. No." Yes, Caspar, he is still ticklish. And now he's squirming away from you.

Grin spreads across Caspar's face and he has clearly already decided what he's going to do instead of helping. Clamping an arm around his friend he goes in for the kill.

"Yes! Yes you are! Ahaha!" Well, so much for that. He's intent on pinning Linhardt and going for the ribs and belly. "C'mon you know you wanna laugh! Gimmie those giggles, Lin." He's abandoned the feather in favor of simply using his hands.

"Caspar!" Goddess damn it. Why do they always end up in these situations? It's almost enough to make Linhardt believe the Goddess does take an interest in affairs and is punishing him for his frequent heresy.

"I swear I will Warp you 10 feet into the air. I will. And then you'll fall down and I'll have to fuss over you and fix you. And I'd much rather skip those parts and proceed."

Proceed into what, Linhardt doesn't say. He wants to see if Caspar has figured it out yet or if he's just gone in a weird direction.

"Aw c'mon, Lin. You're cute when you laugh." For what it's worth he does stop, though only once he's managed to pull Lin's shirt un-tucked. The fact that he's come very close though, to the correct conclusion, is evident. He can feel his own pulse under the tattoo now and it's not beyond him- not completely anyways. He knows he shouldn't be breathing this hard.

"What if I do it nicely?" The abandoned feather is carefully picked up again now, and he very gently slides it against his friend's neck.

Cute? What is he supposed to do with that information? "Cute? Is that a compliment?" He's not exactly sure. It's heating up his cheeks either way, but while Linhardt's hand shoots up to capture Caspar's wrist, he doesn't actually stop Caspar from stroking his neck gently with the feather.

It causes pleasant shivers to run across his neck and down his spine, so Linhardt sighs happily like he does when Caspar plays with his hair. He arches his neck to the side, offering Caspar more skin in case he feels like doing that again.

"Of course it is!" Caspar seems happy, and for a few minutes, there's something else unreadable. Excitement? Uncertainty? He swallows harshly with the silent permission to continue. Slower this time, the feather strokes around the cuff if his ear and down his neck.

"Is that nice?" It certainly does well to scratch his own itch, and that tattoo feels slightly less irritating right now. "Wait- c'mere. Lay against me."

Caspar takes a moment to prop himself up, motioning for Linhardt to come lean against him. This now, with intent, sends a little thrill through him. Maybe they are going to do something. Maybe- maybe, maybe, maybe, they'll get to kiss.

"Yes, Caspar." Linhardt murmurs, his voice warm and fond, "It's very nice."

Goddess, it's all so... innocent. That's what it is. Linhardt opens his eyes to stare at his friend, but he does as he's told turning to lay so that Caspar is up against him. How long has it been since Linhardt has felt innocent in any way?

He stares up at Caspar and presses himself against his friend, enjoying Caspar's warmth, "Did you have an idea?"

Is he teasing? Possibly. Really, their friendship demands it. Some promises are too ancient and binding to be broken.

Wiggling to get comfortable, Caspar gives his friend a squeeze before continuing with his ministrations. Turning the feather on it's side, he continue to drag it gently over his ears and neck, paying close attention to any changes in his voice or breathing.

"Maybe." He returns the teasing tone, smiling into Lin's hair.

Carefully, he edges his fingers up under the hem of his shirt, lifting the fabric away enough to let the feather reach and slip under, flicking along his bare stomach and the edge of his trousers.

"Tell me if you want me to stop, okay?"

The squeeze is comforting and familiar, and his friend's weight against him is comforting and familiar, but being teased like that isn't. But two minutes ago wasn't Caspar wondering what was going on? Why is he now the one wondering what is happening? Why does this always happen?

He jumps when the feather falls on his midsection, laughing sharply. Ticklish. He shakes his head Caspar's question, "Caspar, I'm not so..."

So what? He checks in with his partners, why is the idea of being checked-in with so strange? It just is. It's strange to be on this side of it. To be the recipient of such care and concern.

Linhardt smiles and shakes his head again, this time at himself, "Thank you, Caspar."

00. Arrival

I. Laid Bare Basics

II. Tattoo to You, Too

III. Creepy Crawly Caterpillar Crawl

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