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

[ Ji-Anth makes no effort to hide the fact that they take another look at Matt once he loses the towel. Finally the whole picture, so to speak. They have a hand in the air at the apology. ]

It's not like I had anything important going on. And I guess I can't drown... [ Having gills and all of that. They would have made their way to shore one way or another.

Matt explaining his situation before finding himself in the ocean elicits a loud laugh from Ji-Anth, the action causing their face to split in half giving Matt a full view of those teeth. They're quick to recover, however, clearing their throat. ]

At least you was prepared for a dip. I was about to head out for lunch.

[ Matt returns the grin automatically, his lingering longer than Ji-Anth's does. Weirdly, perhaps, he seems more comfortable naked than he did in his towel. (The secret is Ji-Anth's regard. Matt is now 100% sure that the sight of him naked isn't an imposition or form of sexual harassment.) ]

Schedules aside, I do kinda wish they had asked us first. Hell, I probably would've said yes.

[ A slight pause, as he glances to Ji-Anth once more, gaze drifting from the top of their head down to--well, as far down as he can see below the water's surface. ]

You only guess you can't drown?

[ Well, that gets a raised brow. ] Really? You'd've come to some backwater planet like this?

[ Not that Ji-Anth knows a great deal about backwater planets, having never left the colony after their mother left them with their father. And then said father decided-- Well, that's a matter for some other time.

In all honesty, they're a little excited to experience an actual planet for a change. Assume this is a planet and not the colony equivalent of a snowdome. ]

Well, I got gills, don't I? [ They motion to their ribs. ] They haven't had much use living in a place with no large bodies of water, but I assume they still function as intended.

[ The phrase "backwater planet" inspires a bunch more questions, but it also gives Matt a new context for Ji-Anth's gills and webbing. Something like more things in heaven and earth, emphasis heaven, Horatio, rather than maybe we should've checked the ocean harder for merpeople.

He follows the gesture to their torso, smiling sheepishly. ]

I guess I thought--

[ But that assumes a lot of things that might be awkward to talk about, doesn't it? If anybody told him, Matt, "Hey, you're a witch, so I assume you know exactly how your brain works," they'd be 100% out of luck. So Matt shakes his head, scrubbing a hand over his scarred cheek. ]

Ah, no, wait, I don't care what I thought. Where were you before you were here?

[ Ji-Anth squints at him before leaning in closer. ]

No, I'm rather curious 'bout what you thought. [ Their tone is amused, clearly not offended by any assumptions that Matt could have come up with. ]

Epsilon Red Space Station. It's something of a pit stop between worlds. I've heard visitors say we're famed for our pleasure houses if that tells ya anything.

[ Well, if Matt has to be a total earthling about all this, at least he's lucked across somebody chill. He smiles. ]

I'd love to go anywhere with famous pleasure houses. Where I'm from, most people are way too repressed.

But anyway, I guess I just ... would've thought someone would've told you whether you could drown or not at some point? I had--you know, not a great education about my biology, but there was some stuff. Puberty, reproduction.

[ Quite possibly the chillest (idiot) Matt is going to find around.

They let out a bark of laughter. ] You'd think people would be less repressed in a place known for such things. But, no, unless they're visiting or working and living in the area, they try to ignore its existence.

Except during the Love Festival. Then the entire colony is in on the party.

[ Ji-Anth frowns, shaking their head. ]

The species my mother — my biological mother — is from are known for being pretty xenophobic and reclusive. There's a few exceptions, obviously, but they mostly stick to their homeworld. So there wasn't really anyone around I could ask about those things. [ Puberty was certainly a bitch thanks to that. ]

And, as I said, there weren't, like, any big bodies of water around so it's not like these things have got much of a workout.

[ Their laughter surprises Matt, but it's nice. He can't help grinning in response, though it turns a bit rueful as he recognizes some attitudes that wouldn't be out of place where he's from. People are people, he supposes.

As he listens, his expression dims to one of thoughtfulness. ]

I'm sorry to hear that. There are ... parts of myself that were like that too. Nobody to talk to, no road map. It sucks.

[ A small smile. ]

I don't even know how you'd go about exploring your gills or anything, but as long as we're both here--if you ever want someone to watch and make sure you don't drown or anything, I'm available.

Naw. I think I had enough of the ocean and deep water for now. [ Though a part of them cries out return to the water.

As someone that has grown up in and around the pleasure houses, Ji-Anth has a pretty liberated view about sex. They don't really understand how some people have such an uptight view about it. It's fun, do they hate fun?

They roll their shoulders in a lazy shrug as they sink down into the water. Getting closer to the water's surface so they can start getting sand out of their hair. ] Coulda been worse, I'm sure.

[ Giving Matt a curious look as they ruffle their hands through their hair. ] How so?

Oh, uh ...

Well, we only really have one sentient species on my planet that I'm aware of. But there's lots of--phenotypes, I guess, and some pretty significant differences beyond that.

[ He lifts his hand above the surface of the water and focuses for a moment. Above his palm, a gleaming golden light appears. Matt glances to Ji-Anth's face, a little breathless--like he's just been kissed. ]

Do people practice magic where you're from?

[ Ji-Anth has no idea what phenotype is suppose to mean, but they nod along as if they understand.

As the golden light appears, their eyes widen. They're speechless for a moment because it's unlike anything they've ever seen. Not to mention, it sends something of an electric charge through their system.

After a moment, they seem to come back to their senses and let out a soft laugh. ] I'm pretty sure magic is just a thing of fantasy back home. But, like, there are some species with abilities that might come off like magic. Or some technology might be able to.

Is that what that is?

[ Matt smiles, nervy but genuine. He tries to fly under the radar back home, so showing off like this is rare. But it didn't seem fair for Ji-Anth to be the only one making revelations. ]

Magic, yeah. Or I guess "intent and ritual applied to an outcome." [ He makes a bit of a face before smiling again. ] Nobody knows what the source is, so maybe there's some quantum mechanics explanation or something? For now, most of what we know for sure is it works.

[ A pause. ]

You can touch it if you want. It's just light--no heat.

Huh. [ Ji-Anth isn't sure they understand all that Matt is saying, but it's still neat.

Being told they can touch it, they reach out to poke at the light only to instantly jerk their finger back as if they've been shocked. ]

You sure it's just light? It feels a little...strange. [ They don't realize that the magic is playing off of their natural ability to feel the energy of others. They do recognize that the little ball of light is distinctly Matt, however. ]

[ Matt frowns sharply. ]

Are you okay?

... Strange like how? Did it hurt you?

[ Matt's magic isn't always sexual, but it's pretty inherently sensual, channeled through his body as it is. Beyond that, it gives off the kind of warmth that has more to do with faith and optimism than with temperature. ]

Fine!

No, didn't hurt just...

[ Oh, how do they describe it. ]

Tingly? Something like licking a battery. [ Because who hasn't done that?

They reach out again, this time knowing what to expect. It causes them to shiver. It's almost uncomfortable like someone is poking directly at their brain, but they found the place to poke where it's almost pleasurable. ]

I can, um, feel energy in a way humans and most others can't. It's kind of like a radar I guess? And this is like... I don't know. Almost like staring at a sun?

[ They finally pull their hand back, shaking it and their shoulders. ]

[ Matt, who has licked a lot of things but never a battery, frowns in thought at Ji-Anth's description. ]

That's interesting ...

[ He watches as they reach out again, cautiously watching their face and body for signs of distress. But they seem okay. Almost good, actually.

When they pull back, Matt lets the light dissipate. He sighs a soft laugh. ]

Well. Magic's always an event, so in that sense you just had a really authentic experience.

[ Really? It's quite the shocking experience. ]

I have to say it was illuminating. [ Ji-Anth can't help the grin and light chuckle that escapes them. ]

So does it just, like, do whatever you want? Or can you only do certain things with it?

[ And most importantly; ] Can anyone learn it?

[ Matt chuckles at the wordplay. You'll never see pun-shaming from this quarter. ]

Well, theoretically I could do anything with it. Like how you can use batteries to run a flashlight or a car? But practically, it depends on the setup. [ He shrugs. ] There's a lot I don't know how to do yet. But I'm working on it.

There are definitely pieces anyone can learn. It's just the, um, the correlation part that seems to be innate? Like, anyone can light some candles and draw a spell diagram, but the correlation between what you do and the effect that happens isn't there for everyone.

[ Ah, good, Matt is a fellow connoisseur of puns. ]

I see, I see. [ They bob their head in a nod. That explanation is simple enough for them to understand. ]

Sounds like a lot of work and study, totally not my thing. [ Work Ji-Anth doesn't mind doing. It's the study part they have no interest in. ]

Aside from the little ball o' light, what else can you do?

[ Matt laughs. He felt the same way about almost all school until he learned he could do magic, so he can relate. ]

Ahh, let's see ...

I can find lost objects, generate good luck, make shields and wards, start fires, turn invisible--aka soundproofing. [ A quick grin. ] And like, lots of complicated specific things. I put a spell on a community garden to make the people who went there healthier and more likely to make friends. It's kind of hard to be sure it was as effective as I wanted it to be? But the concept for both was sound.

[ Ji-Anth's brows go up as Matt rattles of the list of things he can do with his magic. It's quite a bit. The soundproofing is good to know, though, and certainly gets a little grin from them. ]

Impressive. [ They shift closer, leaving barely any space between the two of them. ] Sos can all that magic do some cleaning? Because, for that alone, I'd totally try to lean.

[ Oh hey, hello.

Matt doesn't pull away. In fact, he smiles again--a small, almost shy smile. ]

Cleaning ...

That's one of those things where, you know, you could cast a spell to help. But it's probably a little more efficient just to use your hands.

[ His hand lifts again. He doesn't quite touch Ji-Anth, but he's very close. Just a whisper away. ]

That's a shame. I could use a magic fix to the sand in my hair. [ Despite their attempts to get it all out, its still in there. Like little bits of glitter.

Ji-Anth leans in closer, raising a hand so they can trail a fingertip up along Matt's throat and up under his chin. ]

Got any more questions 'bout me? [ They ask, tiling their head inward so that their face is barely a hairsbredth away from his. ]

[ Matt's head tips in response to their touch, very slightly. ]

Ah.

Just one.

[ His fingers touch down, light on Ji-Anth's shoulder. ]

Can I kiss you?

[ The touch to their shoulder draws out a light shiver. Their lips quirk up into a grin before they answer the question by pressing their lips against his. Soft at first, as the fingers under his chin move around to cup the side of his face. ]

TDM 010: PARTNER UP, PARTNER

00. Arrival

I. Laid Bare Basics

II. Tattoo to You, Too

III. Creepy Crawly Caterpillar Crawl

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