ercookies | TDM 012: SLINGING IN THE RAIN

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!tdm

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.

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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.

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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?

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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.

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N A V I G A T I O N

Flat | Top-Level Comments Only

I
Washing up on an unfamiliar beach has him disoriented to say the least, not quite fighting the strange metal figures that find him and snap the bracelet on which yanks him out of the stupor enough to have him moving away from them, heading for the city itself. Soaked robes and dripping hair aside, cold doesn't bother him as much as it might others and he makes note of the buildings he passes.

And then stops in front of one appraising the structure before venturing inside, gaze searching his surroundings for any sign of residency as he checks the rooms. "I'm sorry to intrude but the building seemed sturdier than most. I can leave if you've already settled here, though."

II
He'd been expecting a storm, given the sky but this was worse than anything he'd seen before, Xichen checking the buildings around where he'd settled for other resident in case they need help finding a better shelter. "Is anyone in here?"

And at one point, he does end up stumbling into one of the businesses, rubbing a hand over his face and looking around a little confused before he offers a faintly weak smile and a bow. "I just need to be out of the rain for a few minutes."

III
While he's not usually one to take advantage of things, an offer of free food is something he can't exactly turn down and when he ends up presented with a small array of vegetarian dishes from home? He's more than happy to dig into the meal, even if the utensils are unfamiliar. It's still good food and something he hasn't had much of since his arrival. The tea is perfect too but the pleasure fades when his mind drifts back to the recent events at home, fork falling from his hand as he rubs the other over his face.

"I'm sorry, I just..." He trails off, gaze drifting to whoever sat across from him before he clears his throat. "Is it not a little odd how well they seem to know exactly the food we like?"

[The rain made it a painfully slow day without too many customers at MeiMei willing to brave the storms for food or drink. Still, it was good in a way. Jin Guangyao was still training and even though he has already memorized everything on the board and the menu, he still felt like he hasn't grasped entirely what the customers wanted in this new role of his. It gave him a chance to practice to himself while the place was empty.

He was deep cleaning behind the counter when the bell rang and a new customer came in. He got up to wash his hands but called out.]

Ah. Welcome to MeiMei Maid cafe. Please don't worry about that and make yourself at home. I'll be right there in a moment, master!

[After diligently washing his hands he grabbed a menu and made his way to the door with a large amicable smile. Jin Guangyao was dressed in this lovely uniform with a little bit of light makeup to accompany the usual red vermillion mark. He moved gracefully as if he had been doing this a while even though it was his first week.]

Hello Master. Can I interest you in some warm tea while you wait for the rain to...

[He stops midsentence and stares. His mind reels back to him pushing this man away as he was lifted off the ground. The horrified look on Xichen's face.]

...Er-ge?![He sputtered out finally.]

He'd realized it was a restaurant almost immediately, gaze moving over the interior and then the voice reached him and his eyes widened, because he recognized that voice, his gaze focusing on the counter and he's about to respond when...

Well that's not the outfit he was expecting, his gaze fixing on Jin Guangyao as he speaks and it takes him a few moments to compose himself.

"...A-Yao?" Because it looked like him and sounded like him and maybe the outfit was normal clothing for this place. "I...didn't realize you were here as well."

It took a few moments for Guangyao to pull up his jaw off the floor. His brain ran from the last image of the man he had seen to a vivid thought of exactly what the man will have to do here. He almost dropped the menu with that mental image. He shook his head trying to chase it away or he was going to lose it.

He didn't look worried or strained upon this meeting. He looked almost like he used to look at him before that fateful night in the temple. Was he from an earlier time like Huaisang was?

He took a breath and smiled instead. "Ah. Yes. I've arrived here three weeks ago. When did you get here Er-ge?"

"Three weeks?" That didn't make sense, given it hadn't been that long since he'd seen Jin Guangyao, and even if he hadn't the other going missing would have reached everyone within days.

"It's been a day or two, but the rain..." He gestures to the door. "I was looking for people who might be trapped but the rain makes it hard to see anything."

He gave a small sigh and readjusts his skirt with a hand. "Almost that I think. It has been a busy three weeks so it feels like it flew by."

"Ah. I see." He looks over at the torrential rain. "That does look terrible, doesn't it? I'm certain anyone who was in that had probably found shelter already. You won't do yourself or anyone else any favors if you went out in that if you can't see.

Please have a seat and I'll get some hot tea and lunch for you. Perhaps by the time you are finished the rain will let up a little bit." He leads him to a table to settle down in. "I should probably get you a towel as well. Er-ge you're soaked."

"That is why I came inside to give myself a little time to dry off and warm up." Not that cold bothers him as much as it might others, Xichen eyeing the tables for a moment before following him to take a seat.

"Thank you, A-Yao. Anything is appreciated, you know that." And his gaze drifts back to the clothing for a moment. "Is this how people dress here?"

"Speaking of which, I should probably get you a towel as well so you can dry off properly, first." He walked over to grab a few of the tea towels that were kept on a cart for spills, handing them over to him.

"Hmm? Oh no. Not at all. You would be fine wearing your normal clothes." He couldn't help the embarrassed flush that came across his pale cheeks. His hands smoothing to the white frilly apron.

He worked on getting tea together as he spoke, setting down a western-style teacup and pot on the table, pouring a steaming cup for his friend.

"This is what they call a themed tea house. The theme being litter sister maids who come and serve you tea and food. Since I work here I am currently a little sister. This is the uniform. My employer was kind enough to allow me a longer version of it, the usual fare is quite a bit shorter." He said flushing deeper. He would have died on the spot if Lan Xichen walked in on him while he was wearing the sexier version of this outfit.

"Did anyone explain how things are here? About the metal men and the bracelets?"

The towels are at least some use on his hair and face, even if his robes are likely too soaked to really benefit. That said, his gaze did settle back on A-Yao's face, noticing the blush, the nervous movements of his hands. The explanation doesn't really make sense to him though, given that men are just as capable of serving tea as women, and he sets the towels down.

"I see." Although the fact it's embarrassing A-Yao seems as if it's not something he's comfortable with. "I haven't had much time to look into things, to be honest. I did get this, " He indicates the bracelet. "But nothing in the way of actual information."

Guangyao was fretting about it, taking the soaked towels off the table. Asides from the maid uniforms in the back, and he wasn't sure if his employer would be alright with lending it out. All he had to offer were his own Lanling robes, they might be much too small for him but at least the overrobes might cover him?

"Goodness, you really are soaked through. I have my robes in the dressing room. Did you want to wear them? I know we are not nearly of a size... But it's something. I can put your clothes over this heating thing so they'll dry faster."

His eyes fall to the bracelet and he lifts up his own wrist to show his.

"Every new resident gets one of those. It works kind of as the Lanling butterflies did as communication. But it also has these glowing squares, that we need to fulfill to help this island bloom. I think it has something to do with the energy the type of acts generates..."

He was being vague but sex was embarrassing to talk about usually and it was even more so with the greatest cultivator of their generation.

"I'm not explaining this well at all, Er-ge"

The offer has him moving to his feet, his smile soft. "I have another set of robes in my pouch so you can keep yours for later." His gaze drops to Guangyao's bracelet and he nods after a moment.

"Energy generation is likely useful in a place like this." His footsteps bring him closer to Guangyao, Xichen lifting a hand to brush some of his hair back into place. "If it's embarrassing for you, I can find someone else to explain, A-Yao. I don't want to upset you more than I have already." He's quiet for a moment before changing the subject.

"Where is this room I can use to change?"

"Ah yes of course er-ge is prepared."

Oh.

His face colored even more fully at the gentle touch of his hand. He was always weak to his almost gentle thoughtful touches. He looked at him through long lashes, his eyes wide while gazing at him. Lan Xichen was definitely the most beautiful man he had ever met.

"I'm not upset at all. It is just a bit embarrassing.

As thoughtful as that is of you if I cannot prepare you for this what kind of brother would I be? They are all sexual acts, Er-ge. The island can bloom off sexual energy. And the squares on our cards are particular things that will be helpful should we complete them.

Er, yes let me take you to the dressing room."

00. Arrival

I. THUNDERBOLTS AND LIGHTNING

II. A TASTE OF ERKU

III. NOSTALGIA FOODS

Lan Xichen | Mo Dao Zu Shi

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switching to prose oops.

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