TDM 012: SLINGING IN THE RAIN

[erkumods]

TDM 012: SLINGING IN THE RAIN

00. Arrival 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. If you don’t manage to get away from them quickly enough, they may even usher you toward the Laid Bare Spa, where new arrivals will be offered free massages, a sauna, hairstyling, and their clothing may come up permanently missing. But you will be given a complimentary towel to leave with if needed! Feel free to explore the Island, though there isn’t much to see beyond what arrivals before you have helped to rebuild. 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 place to live in the now, whether a rundown apartment in the City, a tent on the beach, a bed in the barracks, or your own space at the House of Worship. Your inventory will be found a day later, wrapped up haphazardly and delivered to each person's makeshift home. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● I. THUNDERBOLTS AND LIGHTNING Erku's new arrivals may not be the only residents left dripping wet. Although the weather on the Island is almost always dreary, clouds begin to multiply and darken over the days before that first arrival, turning ominous shades of purple and blue which may look familiar to Islanders who have been around since Erku's beginnings. Perhaps robots will advise Islanders to fortify their shelters and get ready to accept refugees, and they hope their charges take the warnings to heart! When the rain finally falls, it is a non-stop torrent. Even though the weather is warm, the rain itself chills to the bone. Shacks and beach tents won't stand up to the downpour for long, and the shabby apartments may leak and flood. New arrivals who aren't handy enough to make quick repairs may be forced to take shelter in the homes of current Island residents, or else huddle together in the 12 rooms of the barracks for the full week that rain falls on the Island. Cats, dogs, and little dragons will also be begging Islanders for a warm place to stay! Beware of lightning strikes, too, because the skies rumble with thunder throughout the storm. Buildings and residences are frequently damaged by strikes. They say what doesn't kill you makes you stronger, and that's very true on Erku - Islanders who are struck by the lightning might find themselves temporarily blessed with god-like super strength. Such power might not always be a good thing for those who aren't used to wielding it, so please be careful not to damage your friends or property! Islanders may choose to keep their new powers, but a bingo square can be used to wish them away. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● II. A TASTE OF ERKU In need of shelter and credits? Then the robots have a task for you! Erku's robot population has taken note of how much Islanders seem to love the humble potato, and they want to contribute! Ready as always to please, the robots have filled the hospital cafeteria with mountains of potatoes in every imaginable variety and color: russet, red, gold, purple, chartreuse, sweet, savory, spicy, and so many more! But wait, there's more: they have provided knives, cutting boards, and peelers too, and are eager to see Islanders work their magic in their open cafeteria kitchen! Robots will monitor every dish produced, as they are eager to improve their food replication repertoire. No worries if you aren't culinarily skilled, however. Islanders will be rewarded in credits for whatever they can contribute, whether it's a gourmet meal or simply a basket of peeled potatoes. Robot-provided potato preparations are also freely available to snack on while you work, though as always, they're liable to be spiked with something to encourage Islanders to get more "friendly" with one another. Of particular note is an invention the 'bots are quite proud of, sure to delight your organic tastebuds: the potato cocktail, which packs quite a punch and - strangely enough - tastes just like a hearty steak dinner? ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● III. NOSTALGIA FOODS Seeking a bit of refuge and some comforting food to warm you up? Signs and flyers are out informing residents of the Straight From Home Special going on right now at the Flashbang diner! Come In For All The House Favorites! For the next few days anyone can walk in and receive a free meal (or two if you’re really nice) from the robot cooks behind the counter! And it just so happens that they know exactly what you want. You will be served a meal of your favorite foods from home just the way you like them. Did you tell them? No. How did they know? Don’t bother asking, they’ll just say that the Cook Always Knows. The robot waitresses will make sure your drinks are topped up and you have everything you need, just like any hometown diner or pub you may have heard of. Eating any of the foods will bring out such nostalgia. Feelings of fondness, sadness, longing, anything when you think about the memories of your past and even of recent events. You won’t be able to stop yourself from sharing those thoughts and feelings with those around you. You’ll want to talk about your life, your opinions on the weather, the sex you just had last night and in great detail. The waitresses are listening and so is everyone else nearby. When you leave the diner you might just have to keep on sharing your thoughts about anything that comes to mind. Walk by someone you think is attractive? You’ll have to tell them. Don’t like someone’s outfit? Definitely have to tell them. Suddenly remembering having sex on the beach? Maybe the person next to you on the trolley won’t mind hearing all about it! The effects of the nostalgia will last for half a day or until the completion of an auspicious act. ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● ● N A V I G A T I O N

Comments

[veritygyr]

"Waterdeep." He answers without thinking, as it is on the tip of his tongue anyway. When Verity looks up, he is just as startled to see another tiefling. He almost isn't sure how to react at all. He's used to being the only one around.

Verity looks down at the food again and he can't stop the small smile that flickers across his mouth.

"A bakery had a cart that went out into other wards. Now and then they'd even make it down to the Dock Ward. They always smelled so good."

The nostalgia hits him like a wave and all Verity can do is let it. Those days feel so far away, even if they aren't. He glances up at the other tiefling - still in some disbelieve that it is another tiefling - and stares for a few seconds before he finds his voice again:

"There's a lot here, if... you'd like to join me."

[immolzeth]

He isn't especially making an effort to veil his interest, but even if he had wanted to, Even isn't sure he'd've been able to. The orange tiefling exclaims when this interesting stranger mentions Waterdeep, and it's only a brief moment of consideration before he slips out of his booth and around to the next one over.

"Don't mind if I do," he replies, grinning his most dialed-in, interested grin. He takes one of those buns, inhaling the yeasty, warm aroma. "I didn't do much perusing of bakeries when I was in Waterdeep," he admits, "it seems I may have missed out.

"Even Immolzeth, and very pleased to meet you."

[veritygyr]

"It was all we did some days," he says with a sort of sad, yet still fond smile. And it's... strange that he said that out loud. It isn't something he's talked about ever, really. And it's probably more than he'd say to a perfect stranger. He shakes off the feeling.

"Verity Gyr. Did you live there?"

He pulls his drink closer, surprised too that the cool tea is so familiar. He hasn't had it since he left the monastery. Verity glances up again and tries not to stare too much. It's so unexpected to be looking at someone even remotely like him.

[immolzeth]

So caught up in his query, Even doesn't initially catch the oddness of the moment of nostalgia. Who knows, maybe this fellow is a bit maudlin in general: it hardly matters, given.

"As a matter of fact, no, I was there on a bit of a tour year. But I was there when I was taken, and so was the only other person here who also came from Toril."

He catches the excitement that's been growing in his voice, and pauses to give this fellow -- this Verity -- a sober look. "You are from Toril? This isn't some other Waterdeep?"

[veritygyr]

Verity blinks slowly. "Yes, Toril. And if there is another Waterdeep, I don't know of it."

He is vaguely aware of the fact that there are people from other worlds here. He hasn't spoken to many about the details, but it's... difficult to not notice the variety. The incongruous locals, some of whom seem to fit in better than others.

And it is somewhat comforting, he realizes, to be talking to someone that has any frame of reference for what he's talking about.

[immolzeth]

"Ah!" Even's exclamation of delight then is stronger, more clearly a moment of delight. He gestures to Verity with the bun, grinning wide. "Nor do I, which -- I hope -- means you're the first person other than the friend I arrived with who hails from the same world.

"We're practically cousins," he laughs. "In that case it's doubly a pleasure to meet you, sir; the people here are strange and the technology near incomprehensible, so it will be good to chat with someone who knows how things properly work."

Only then does he take a big bite from the bun, relishing in food that seems to be bona-fide from home.

[veritygyr]

Verity can't help but smile by Even's enthusiasm. It's a soft, still slightly guarded expression, but he seems to be opening up a bit. And he takes the chance to eat a bit himself. He's hungry, and after hearing rumor of some of the effect of other foods, he's been eating relatively little. He goes for one of the sweet buns first, and the nostalgia that hits him almost feels like a physical blow.

After he finishes the bun, he looks down and absently touches the device on his wrist. It is foreign technology and he's been puzzling with it here and there, but not much.

"We always were alone," he says, not really thinking as he speaks. "Definitely no one that would call us cousins with any sort of real fondness."

[immolzeth]

That little touch on the device is so familiar, though Even's gotten so accustomed to him as to barely notice its presence lately. He chews thoughtfully as Verity conversationally pivots. This fellow has some stuff to get off his chest, doesn't he?

"'We' who?" he asks, sympathetic without context.

[veritygyr]

"Oh, uhm." Why had he said that? He hasn't really spoken of Corvi in a long time. He hasn't spoken of his history in Waterdeep or his life before that. The parts he barely remembers.

Verity takes a moment to drink his tea, hoping it helps. It tastes just as familiar as the sticky buns. He closes his eyes for a moment, cradling the cup close. He sits back a bit, centering himself.

"My brother," he says at last, because he's already brought it up so he can give that much. "For a while, we were in Waterdeep together."

[immolzeth]

"You grew up in Waterdeep?" Probing questions are easy and, with any luck, will give this fellow reassurance that Even's curiosity is genuine. He looks unsettled, and Even's not sure why; certainly it couldn't possibly be a function of a perfect stranger waltzing in and asking about his life story, not if he's this eager to share.

It hasn't even occurred to him to suspect the buns. They're only theoretically 'food from home' for him; they're a novel flavour, just like this other tiefling.

"Did he leave?"

[veritygyr]

"For a little while." It isn't really a guarded secret, just not something he talks about much. He usually doesn't talk much at all, but he thinks--is it the food? "And no, he didn't leave. I did."

And it feels strange to think of that day now. He's reflected on it many times, had it pop into his head as he trained or meditated or worked. He'd think of Corvi and the way he looked as he watched Verity go. And Verity remembers turning away before Corvi did. If Corvi did.

[immolzeth]

"Oh!" It's a little backwards from what Even had been supposing, and he props his elbow on the table, his chin in his hand, and considers Verity with new regard. Is that nostalgia running deeper than the newly-snatched?

"And you miss him?" But then, there's another explanation that he could think of, if he left his brother, rather than the other way around. "Or just the city?"

[veritygyr]

"Waterdeep was awful," he says, not quite bitter but--something. "No, I don't think I miss it, really."

But he does miss Corvi. He regrets the way he left, but he also doesn't think it was really a choice, in the end. He couldn't stay there.

[immolzeth]

"Is that so? I found it a fascinating place -- but that's visitor's prerogative, I suppose." Would he say such things about Veltalar? He doesn't think so, but then, he can easily admit he doesn't know Waterdeep well. A month's visit does not familiarity make. "Certainly we hear wondrous things of your city as far east as Aglarond."

He's made short work of the first bun he snagged, and now he goes to pour himself a cup of tea from the little pot, making a little 'may I?' gesture to Verity's cup as well.

"What made you leave? If you don't mind my asking."

[veritygyr]

"And I'm sure there are wonderous things about it. I just don't... remember many of them."

Or rather, never saw them in the first place. Despite the effect he suspects the food might be having he nudges his cup over for a tea refill. It tastes too comforting to pass up just yet.

"I couldn't live there," he says with a shrug. "I didn't... want to. So, I left with a group of monks from Ilmater's church."

[immolzeth]

Even pours, and humms. "Ilmater?"

He hasn't paid much attention to most gods that don't have a stake in wizardry themselves, but a good grounding in the pantheon at large had been a part of wizard school. Ilmater is a name he doesn't hear much.

"Was that chance, or choice?" he asks, of the unusually open fellow he's struck up conversation with. "Ilmater never struck me as an easy god to follow."