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

[halforc]

Sensible, then. The first nights in the dilapidated building he and Molly chose (with an open roof, smashed floors and broken windows that was eventually renovated into the multiple townhouse it is today) were rough as fuck, and he had been grateful for Molly's platonic bodyheat even back then.

"None of your friends turned up here?"

[reveljackdaw]

"None that I've seen. None that have seen me."

Friends is putting it loosely, but that's fine. Revel finishes eating and feels a bit more himself, though he is not eager to go back out into the rain. He'll manage. He always does. He flashes a smile.

"Well, now you've fed me. I'm at your disposal."

[halforc]

Fjord gives him a long look.

"If you try anything funny, I know a Cleric who can decompose you in seconds."

He nods to the door and pulls his cloak around him, eye on Revel as he heads out.

[reveljackdaw]

Revel lifts a brow and gives Fjord a look right back.

"If you try anything funny your cleric is going to have to figure out how to reattach your balls." Then he breaks into another bright smile, flashing fangs. Keeping eye contact, he puts a hand on Fjord's chest. "I'm so glad we understand each other."

Revel's hand drops as the half-orc turns away. He has no hood and no cloak, so he just steels himself as they head back out into the downpour. It wouldn't be as bad if the rain wasn't so damn cold.

[halforc]

"You go anywhere near my balls and you'll be bitched out in Infernal by my boyfriend for a very, very long time."

Outside in the sleet he summons the Star Razor. The vestige pulses vibrant blue along the runes as he casts Fly, holding out a hand toward Revel.

"You're going to have to hold on for the next part."

[reveljackdaw]

"Oh, good, someone I can have a full conversation with."

Revel's amusement fades, however, when Fjord holds a hand out. He sighs, because there really is no point in arguing if he wants what Fjord has offered. So he accepts the hand offered to him.

[halforc]

Fjord decides to be a little bit of a dick in honour of his offended balls and tugs Revel in, cloak cast around him and an arm securely around his waist a moment before the sonic BOOM of Fly launches them into the storm like a rocket. Fjord tilts their trajectory, a blue streak in the grey wracking clouds, toward the haus, and shouts over the noise.

"Don't let go before we get there!"

[reveljackdaw]

Revel doesn't actually mind having a strong arm around his waist, nor is he upset to be under the cover of the cloak. But that is exactly where his comfort ends. The tiefling flinches as they are launched into the air and he digs his claws into whatever part of Fjord he can - skin, armor, whatever - and grips tight.

"Fuck you!" he yells back. Better than trudging through the rain, certainly, but a little more warning would have been nice.

[halforc]

Unfortunately for Revel, he hasn't met the more gentler of the Nein and the flight, while unpleasant, is as short as it can be for how rough it is. When he sets them down on the stoop of the Vox Neinhaus the three townhouses side-by-side make an odd mansion, brown-white-black brick respectively; the wizards, the Nein, and whatever crazy home Percy has made for himself on the edge.

The lights of the haus are all warm amber and welcoming as Fjord raises his cloak to keep the rain off them as much as he can up the steps. The door swings wide as he ushers in Revel and he calls out, "Home with a guest! Who's in? Need some towels!"

[reveljackdaw]

The houseguest in question is cursing in three different languages - Common, Infernal, and Elvish. When he finishes, he's tempted to start at the beginning again, but he's standing inside a house and out of the rain and no longer hurtling through the air under someone else's power.

Since towels are possibly forth-coming, Revel leans on the door to get his sodden shoes off.

"It would have been a shame to lose that pepper thing all over your armor," he mutters, sounding like he wishes he had done.

[devilstongue]

Molly stick his head out from the living room and then looks surprised, walking over to meet the new arrival.

"Another tiefling! Welcome to sex island, my friend." He says with a fanged grin, and then kisses Fjord's cheek.

"Is it drowned rat newbies day already?"

[halforc]

"Apparently." Pecking Molly's cheek back. "Found him yowling in the rain, in need of shelter. I let him know we have a couch."

With a significant look to Molly since they have several couches; he felt it was worth extending the (terrifying, flying) hand of friendship to this one.

To Revel, he gestures to the house and the lavender fellow in front.

"This is Mollymauk, protector of my balls."

[reveljackdaw]

"Gods, you make me sound like a cat in heat." He wrinkles his nose and looks up to see... another tiefling. Not common, for him, and he's starting to wonder if this is just a house made up of people with unique lineage. He doesn't like being this far off balance. Not in his own clothes. Not in his own city. Soaked through and chilled.

None the less, he pushes away from the door and offers Mollymauk the same flourish of courtesy he'd given Fjord. If he wants to stay dry, he can get along.

"Revel Jackdaw, threatener of Fjord's balls. Though, I would like to point out that he threatened me with rapid decomposition first."

[devilstongue]

"I mean, in a place like this? Not impossible." He gives Fjord a pat. "Also please don't threaten his balls, I need those." For... reasons. A lot of them.

"Let's get you dried up and fed, shall we? We very much enjoy picking up strays in this household." Grinning, Molly points to the living room, where there's a small fireplace and blankets.

[halforc]

"I might have mentioned Caduceus ..."

Fjord is busy dragging off all his coats and armour in the atrium as Molly takes point on Revel.

"Says he's from Waterdeep, wherever that is. Appropriate name, considering."

[reveljackdaw]

"You'd be surprised what someone can get up to without them."

Revel eyes the fireplace and the blankets with a little more longing than he'd usually allow.

"I think I'd like very much to not have soaking fabric plastered to me, if you don't mind? I'll strip here if you're still worried I'm a threat," he says to Fjord. That aside, it seems rude to track water through someone's house.

[devilstongue]

Ah. Makes sense. Molly does wonder what the hell that second comment comes from, though, and he gives his boyfriend a look.

"Strip down, get your blankets on, and I'll see if we have any food."

[halforc]

Fjord shrugs at Molly's look, rather enjoying the wild ride that is their new guest's commentary.

"I'll get some spare clothes for you. Like Molly said, make yourself comfortable by the fire."

Fjord heads upstairs to root around in the Random Unclaimed Clothes pile that has accumulated after lots of exploring of the City, leaving Revel by the hearth. Finding a blue sweatshirt and some flannel pants he decides to change too, returning in a clean tshirt and joggers, nowhere near as many layers as he met Revel in.

"These ought to fit."

Mismatched though they are. Is that deliberate? No one will ever know.

[reveljackdaw]

By the time Fjord returns, Revel is wrapped in a blanket and standing in front of the fire. This is the warmest he's been in days and he feels like he could doze off standing up. His eyes blink open slowly when he's offered the clothes.

"Mm, thank you."

And he drops the blanket. Unconcerned, Revel gets into the pants and then the shirt. Not what he's used to, but dry, and that's really all he needs right now. That done, he uses his tail to lift the blanket high enough for him to grab it again, then drapes it back around his shoulders.

"So. What do you want from me? Or are you just going to keep a ledger running?"

[halforc]

His gaze averts as Revel dresses, busying himself stoking the hearth and tossing another small log on.

"It probably comes off really creepy, huh? Being abducted and all." He would be wary too. "You don't have to owe us anything. The Augur is our common enemy, that's all that matters."

He pulls over two armchairs and tosses some pillows into Revel's.

"To be honest, Molly is friends with the other tieflings on the island and I figured he's the safest person I could bring you to."

[reveljackdaw]

"Did you? Do tieflings band together where you come from?"

Revel looks at the armchair with the pillows in it, then sinks down. He stretches his legs out, flexes his feet. He feels less like a drowning rat, at least. The surly veneer has worn off, leaving him more tired than he expected. Leaving him more fully aware of the situation he's found himself in.

[halforc]

"No, but it makes sense for you to do so on this island. There are ... four of you now, by my count, and far more humans. Molly looks out for drowned rat types."

To put it one way, since saying 'pathetic' comes off a bit harsh when the tiefling seems to have arrived with a solid load of nothing.

"If you want to stay on the couch while you get your shit together, you're welcome to. I don't think anyone else who shares these houses would mind if they came across you."

[reveljackdaw]

"Four of us? Practically an enclave."

Go ahead and call him pathetic, Fjord. He can hardly argue at the moment, and likely wouldn't. Revel contemplates the fire as the half-orc offers him shelter for as long as he needs it, and there is something that just doesn't settle right. He's waiting for the other shoe to drop.

A smirk tugs at his mouth.

"Of course they won't mind, I'm a fucking delight."

[halforc]

"Uh huh."

He doesn't put much stock in tieflings who declare themselves a god's gift, even if he was somehow finagled into dating one. He glances to the door where Molly left, wondering what's taking him so long, then back to Revel.

"Tell me a bit about yourself, I'm curious."

[reveljackdaw]

It's one thing to declare oneself a gift and another to actually believe it. But Revel won't dissuade someone from thinking he's a narcissist. Easier if they do. He lifts a brow and looks Fjord's way at that request.

"You first, darling. All I know about you is your name and one of the spells you have up your sleeve. And that you have a penchant for taking in strays."

Being pitied grates across Revel's nerves, but for now, it gets him somewhere dry to be.