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

[taintedpeony]

He walked up closer to him, offering a hand to take his robes from him, gesturing that he would hold them so that maybe Nie Mingjue could wear his shoes.

"Well, understanding that nothing here, in fact, makes any sense at all is probably the best thing you can realize, early on. Three weeks and I haven't really had to worry about dying. However, I found myself in another's body and once even with animals ears and a tail, being sold to anyone who would have me." that was painful, not because his buyer was Xue Yang of all people, but the very loaded subject of being bought and sold for sexual pleasure lay heavy on him.

"There is a lot to understand here, however, it's not necessary to do so while you are half-naked and shoeless on the street. Allow me to take you home, and draw you a bath and I'll explain everything as we go.

Does that sound amenable to you Da-ge?"

[baxiasprice]

The 'sold to anyone who would have me' sent a bolt of foreboding down his spine and he cut a sharp look at the now-closer Meng Yao. He didn't interrupt, however, merely listened. At the question, however, Mingjue considered Meng Yao with a weighing squint for all of a heartbeat before he tilted his head in acquiescence and dumped his clothes into Meng Yao's arms.

"That does." What the hell, right? He reached out to brace himself on Meng Yao's shoulder so he could pull on his boots. "Sounds good."

Before they got any further, though: "If you're calling me Da-ge, what do I call you?"

[taintedpeony]

Jin Guangyao in return folded his clothing as he used to when they were on the battlefield, and put it away in a side bag he was carrying on him. He winced slightly under Mingjue's weight as he was leaned on but didn't move. It was a familiar action that sent his mind reeling in a sense of deja vu.

"You always called me Meng Yao, still." He hated it back then taking it as an affront to his legitimacy. He looked at him through dark lashes, as if studying his expression. He could have lied but what was the point? If he wanted things to be different he was going to have to be more outright.

"However I would prefer that you call me A-Yao instead. That's what Er-ge calls me. I-Is that alright with you?"

[baxiasprice]

One boot still half off his foot, part of his weight still pressing down on Meng Yao's shoulder, Mingjue paused. "Meng Yao's what I call you now," he said. Then he paused, rumbled contemplatively, and finished pulling on his boot. Once more shod and standing square, he released Meng Yao and corrected himself: "Meng Yao is what I call the one I left behind."

He chased the thought. He didn't have to chase it far. The two Meng Yaos were obviously and dramatically different to the tune of almost two decades of life experience. A different name made sense.

"If you prefer it, I'll call you A-Yao," he decided. Over-affectionate, maybe, but it was a direct request and matched the over-affectionate nature of suddenly being called Da-ge by someone he'd never expected. "So that's settled. What now?"

[taintedpeony]

"Yes, it probably is for the best, if we differentiate who I was then and who I am now."

He shifted his weight as he put his boots on. and when he was done he stood up straight fixing his gold robes and reaffixing his hat.

"Well, now we fly home. Though, I should warn you," he said as he placed Hensheng on the ground and climbed upon it. It was good to give him a heads up now rather than Nie Mingjue crashing when they were in the air.

"A Nie long before I arrived had talked to the deity here to bring your ancestral homelands to the island. I have been working on bringing Jinlintai as well, so we will see it from the air.

I currently am residing in one of the guest houses in the Unclean Realm, which is where we are going." He was tactfully leaving out that said Nie was this man's younger brother. He would like to keep his head thanks.

"I can lead the way, you can follow along on Baxia, correct?" it had been so long since he flew alongside him.

[baxiasprice]

The hat surprised him, honestly, as when A-Yao put it on, it changed the shape of him, shifting him into someone who was very definitely not someone that Mingjue had any experience with whatsoever. The comfort with which he wielded it was bemusing, as was the curious sword that Mingjue'd not seen before.

...add the questions about those to the questions about the Unclean Realm existing on the island, and they would be standing there for days if he tried to ask them all at once. His brows drew together in surprise even as he pulled Baxia from her sheath.

"I'll follow," Mingjue said slowly, still processing. Questions crowded his thoughts, so he plucked the one with what would likely have the greatest impact on his life here to ask: "These deities. They can just drop chunks of other places in? They steal them? Or build replicas?"

[taintedpeony]

His hat was a symbol, as well as a shield. It was the symbol of him actually being someone who belonged with the gentry, but also a symbol of being an administrator. When he took over the Lanling Jin no one questioned his assurances that he wasn't taking over permanently. That he was not stepping over where his place should be. He absolutely was.

And it made him look taller and that was always a plus.

As soon as Mingjue was on Baxia, he rose in the air on Hensheng. Meng Yao never had a sword of his own, he had borrowed weapons always. He offered the man an amicable smile.

"I'm leaning more towards it being a replica, but even that is a theory. I have no idea how anything works here asides from a certain type of action being needed to create it.

They have added some different... technology to the structures that help with day-to-day living.

For example, we no longer have a need for chamber pots, they have a chair that has water in it that carries waste away. They also have a bath that has, instant hot water that comes from a pipe. None of our homes have these things where we are from. I have to admit these things are new but very convenient."

It wasn't too far a ride, soon enough the vast lands of the Unclean realm came into view, on the western edges the high towers of Koi Tower were also visible. "In Palau, we all strive to bring just a piece of home with us. We have a small community of cultivators living here."

[baxiasprice]

Mingjue followed A-Yao into the air, sticking close enough to his side to hear as they lifted off and flew. "They do sound convenient," he agreed, but his attention was split between A-Yao's words and the landscape that unfolded below them as they flew toward (of all things) the Unclean Realm.

The sight jarred him, enough that his sword dipped. Because that? That was home standing cheek by jowl with buildings that should be hundreds of li away. Almost immediately after he recovered himself, he laughed—one sharp, amused burst of it. "The Unclean Realm." He knew it was coming and still... "Pretty good replica."

As the gates approached, as looming and imposing as the real deal, he asked with growing concern, "What types of actions? They stole us from our lives for what? Sacrifices? Rituals?"

[taintedpeony]

Guangyao flew closer to him in case he did fall, He was jarred by the sight himself the first time he came here to meet Master Shen. He had no idea that this was the estate the man was talking about.

"Isn't it though? It looks just like it... well asides from a few new additions." He gestured towards the stone lion in front of the gates, as well as a statue of a topless woman in the main courtyard.

He flew past the gates making a wide arch over the statue, lest it stripped them again the wily wind master. Once was enough, thank you.

He only spoke again after both have landed in the inner courtyard of the western residences. There was no point in having Mingjue deal with that aspect of it while he was on the sword.

He turned to look at him, his gold eyes piercing.

"No, sacrifices or rituals. No dark magic either as far as I am aware. If you look at the bracelet on your arm there are squares. On each square, there is a...sexual act that needs to be fulfilled. These are called 'Auspicious Acts' I think they use the energy that is generated from sex as a way to help the island grow." Just ignore the tinge on his cheeks and that he is having trouble making eye contact.

[baxiasprice]

The additions make Mingjue's eyebrows climb, the statue of the topless woman in particular leaving him speechless with incredulity. He dropped down into the courtyard and sheathed Baxia through muscle memory alone, his eyes on their surroundings until A-Yao turned to him and baffled him all over again.

"Sex," he said bluntly almost before the explanation was through. His temper rumbled in his chest. "We're here to fuck."

It wasn't a question.

He did not like that at all. The topless statue took on new meaning, as did the aggressive stripping the metal creatures had done. He couldn't say if the whole situation was better or worse than if there were dark magic involved. Yet...

"You said no rituals." He flared his nostrils, his tone suspiciously neutral. "I don't think that's accurate."

[taintedpeony]

"I know it is a lot, But you were always the type of man who would wish to know things outright." sheathing Hensheng, he continued. His eyes darted over him, keeping his tone even as well. He didn't know how he was going to take this information after all.

"Yes."

It was not as if he himself was happy about it either. His own experiences with sexuality, in general, were loaded in a not-so-fun way. He was fighting to be able to be okay with it.

"Oh, how so? Most of the time there is nothing really ritualistic about the acts themselves, just what is on our squares. As soon as it is complete, it lights up, let me show you."

He lifted up his own wrist to show his bracelet. Out of all of his squares only one that said 'crossdressing' was lit up. It was only an example and as embarrassing as it was he knew Mingjue wouldn't believe him without sufficient evidence.

"It is the square that was used to bring Koi tower here."

[baxiasprice]

"Ritual in that you have to fuck about it at all," Mingjue said, shifting much closer to A-Yao to peer at the bracelet's squares. "If its generating something useable, then it can't just be fucking."

After this, however, he lapsed into silence as he studied the squares. Some were things he hadn't heard of, but if this place wanted sex, he had a few guesses. The anger he felt bubble up in his chest had no proper target. To bring people here and force them into sex... All he could do was flex his jaw and swallow around the feeling.

"Since whoever spent all the trouble to get us here, I doubt they'll let us go without this," he said finally, his tone full of the gravel of fury. A breath and he cut a look at A-Yao's familiar-yet-not face, taking in his expression and his high color. "So. Who with?"

[taintedpeony]

“I suppose. I haven’t really thought of it that way.” He had forgotten over the years at how very insightful the other man was, all of the years and his memories were tinged with bitterness and hurt. How could he have misremembered such an important detail? It was something he used to admire about him after all.

Under the intense glare he couldn’t help but color further. He was so close. And then that very direct question had him reeling. Under his gaze he was once again a 17 year old boy who was being bullied by his superiors. And gazing upon the man who saved him.

He inhaled slowly then exhaled.

“Ah. That would be Master Xiao Xingchen, I don’t think you knew him at the point you are from. He is a disciple of Baoshan Sanren and had come down the mountain after the war.

We are mostly acquaintances at best, but I do suppose I work for him now.

I was in a situation where I had woken up in his body and he in mine, the only way to get back in my own flesh was to... well, fuck.” There was no point in lying the sooner Mingjue understood truths about this place the better.

“the filled square was incidental but I really wanted to bring my home. Do you judge me for it?” He was used to being judged by everything and everyone. Why was this man bringing all that up for him?! It was infuriating.

[baxiasprice]

Mingjue straightened, pulling away so he was no longer quite so close, not when A-Yao was obviously turning colors at his proximity. The ability to not loom was as much of a skill as the ability to loom. As A-Yao spoke, Mingjue's hand went to his own bracelet, safe on his sword arm. "I don't know him, no," he said, "but his background recommends him. I hope he treated you well."

He regarded A-Yao with a little more concern, especially because of that little fortifying breath before he'd answered, that defiant question at the end. That do you judge me? gave him pause. He could still feel the water in his ears whenever he turned his head and the salt-damp that still clung to his skin. His thoughts still rang with 'switched bodies' and 'animal parts' and 'sold', at the evidence in front of him of being pulled from different points in their lives and being Da-ge to A-Yao, and the fact bits and pieces of buildings were here where they shouldn't be at the behest of strange gods.

"A-Yao," he said, blunt. "Do you want me to judge you?"

[taintedpeony]

"He was...almost too kind. Kinder than I deserve, and sometimes kindness unmoors me. I have to admit that I was a bit embarrassed but I suppose the experience was not necessarily bad." he wasn't sure why he was being honest about this, but from years of experience, dishonestly was the first thing to incur Dage's wrath.

He really wanted to do better this time.

There had to have been a reason that he was alive again, memories intact so that he knew the consequences of what he did. Perhaps the gods were giving him another chance. He really didn't wish to fuck up again.

With a gesture, he led them to his rooms. They were furnished sparsely. A long maid uniform hung on the wall and the bedding was ugly blocky IKEA furniture. There was a small table with a vase of fresh-cut peonies on it.

He took off his hat and hung it next to the robes.

"I...I'm not certain. This is all so different. I worry that any of my actions will incur your judgment. I'm not certain that to would be undeserved either." He finally answered.

After a moment he added. "I should probably run you a bath. You must be uncomfortable."

[baxiasprice]

Mingjue followed A-Yao to his rooms and stood aside to take in the furnishings (or lack thereof), while the hat found its home on the wall. He was torn between exhausted and bemused as he stood there, listening.

He scrubbed his face with one hand, sighed behind in it, and said, "I will take you up on that bath if you're offering. If you really do want me to pass some sort of judgement on you, it's going to need to be when I am less drowned."

Dropping his hand away from his face, he gave A-Yao another more-concerned-than-anything-else frown he continued, "Right now, all I know is that this place is inherently cruel, and any kindness is more than deserved. So why do you need, of all people, my judgement?"

[taintedpeony]

He gave a soft breathy laugh at that.

"I don't know. It's odd seeing you again like this." Alive, and acting as he had used to back during the war. "I know the me I am now, I don't work for you anymore. We are of equal standing. I suppose seeing up like this again makes me think of back to that time in the war.

You are right. Palau is a large gilded cage. We are nothing but breeding stock with a dangling carrot to make certain to do what they ask. The sooner we come to these inherent truths, the better."

He looked over to the bathroom.

"Yes allow me to get it ready for you. You may follow me if you wish." with that he moved to the adjoined bathroom and began to run hot water, closing his eyes to remember the temperature that Mingjue used to like his baths.

"Da-ge? Did you have a change of clothes? I have my robes but I'm afraid they'll be much too small for you. I want to take your clothes to wash in the meantime,"

[baxiasprice]

"If you don't work for me anymore, should you really be drawing me a bath?" he asked, though with dry amusement, as he did indeed follow behind A-Yao. The mention of differing amenities had him thinking he might as well learn how to use them before he had to try and deal with them on his own.

He watched with overt curiosity as A-Yao started the bath, then at the question, he nodded and began to efficiently strip out of the clothes he'd only just put back on before their flight. Baxia he set next to tub, along with the qiankun pouch he'd found on his belt when he'd swam up to consciousness.

His greater preoccupation, however, was still on the detail dropped about a future he...wasn't sure he was going to get to, now that he'd been dredged up to the island. "Equal standing?" he asked. "You don't mean as sworn brothers."

[taintedpeony]

That comment earned him a wry smile. "But Da-ge I can't help myself. Even if I don't work for you will you deny me to fret over you?" he really couldn't help himself. His love language was always going to be acts of service. He did it for Huaisang and Xichen, and as loathe as he was to admit, even if their relationship had turned contentious in their later years, he still cared for the man.

He moved his hands slowly, showing where the hot water was and how to stop the tub.

"I probably said more than I had meant to.

By the time I am from, I was the sect leader of the Jin clan and have been for nearly a decade, at least until Jin Zixuan's son Jin Ling comes of age and is ready. Jin Zixuan as well as our cousin Jin Zixun passed after the war in an event that causes another one. My father... well, he dies as he lived I suppose." he won't mention his own hand in these events. Zixuan and Zixun were an accident, his father was most decidedly not. His climb to the throne was a gambit for safety.

"That is what I had meant. But none of that really matters anymore. I have to trust that A-Ling can run the sect now that I am no longer there." He doesn't mention that Jin Ling has no choice since he had died and left a mess.

"It is just a new dynamic, and we will have to adjust I suppose. In the meantime, let's focus on getting you settled."

[baxiasprice]

With a snort at the 'fretting' comment, Mingjue just waved an agreement and stripped himself back down to his under trousers as he had been when he'd escaped the things before. He held his inner robes casually in a hand, blinked at A-Yao, and said, "That sounds eventful."

And gave him a hundred more questions, his eyebrows rising toward his hairline.

"Congratulations," he said after a moment, settling down into himself a little more firmly. Some of his tension eased from his shoulders and he gave himself a little private nod, having come to a conclusion. "I've decided that I am not going to be surprised by anything. A lot can happen even in a year. Especially during war."

He paused then offered A-Yao a crooked smile. "That and I'm not convinced your real, either. Sorry."

[taintedpeony]

"Thank you?" was that something to say about the death of his close relatives? Though the only one he did care about out of them was Jin Zixuan. Guangyao moved from the tub, turning his back so that the sect leader could undress, taking a few moments to scoop up the sandy clothing. He knew there were some robots that would help with the washing but he didn't know if he could deal with their sex puns.

That was a small price to pay to get clothes done faster he supposed. At the latter comment, he couldn't help the laugh that came from him.

"Honestly, I am having a hard time believing you are real as well, Nie Mingjue." He tucked a strand of hair behind an ear and smiled. "However, how can I convince you of my existence? Should I pinch you?"

[baxiasprice]

Mingjue shrugged one shoulder at the 'Thank you?' without any apparent realization that he'd said anything strange. As he gathered up his clothes, however, he said, "You're welcome to. Pinch me, that is. Might be worthwhile."

He waved a hand at the bruises on his shoulders and forearms already turning from red to mottled blue from where the robots had retaliated enough that he'd deemed tactical retreat to be wise.

"Pain from things here didn't seem to do anything before, though." He stuck out his arm, reading for pinching. "So maybe pain won't help. But if it doesn't wake me up. I want a better look at you."

[taintedpeony]

Okay, he was laughing fully now. walking up to him. Goodness he had put aside how ridiculous the man could be when he had wanted to.

"Alright, it's not as if you'll feel anything with a little pinch from me, you may as well ask Huaisang to pinch you." He took the flesh between forefinger and thumb, pinching him hard.

"That's fine. You...You can look at me as you please." boy did that come out more awkward than he had meant it to.

[baxiasprice]

The pinch was about as hard as he'd expected, a bright flare of pain that did absolutely nothing to change anything about his surroundings. He waited a few seconds, staring at A-Yao, before he sighed.

He beckoned A-Yao with one hand that he might lay it on his cheek. "Alright. Come here." The awkwardness he ignored, like a man on a mission. He was standing there in just his under trousers, inner robe still in one hand, and unselfconscious about it. Reaching for A-Yao's face, he searched his features, taking in the changes and the lack of them, all the ones he'd noted when A-Yao had first taken off his hat and all the ones he could see now that he was closer.

[taintedpeony]

Guangyao had tilted his head up, leaning into the hand on his face. Golden eyes watching the other man evenly. For some reason, he felt absolutely naked under his gaze, as if that gaze was stripping off layer after layer from his skin. He wondered what he would think of the rot underneath. Would he be angry? Repulsed by him now that he was no longer a mirror that showed him only what one wished to see in him?

There were small signs of age, his cultivation wasn't too high after all. A few small wrinkles under his eyes from a lack of sleep. A little bit by his lips from smiling. His hair was much longer than Meng Yao's was. There was also a sense of him being a bit harder somehow.

At the same time, he couldn't help but study his face as well. It was so much more youthful during the war, he knew that those strong shoulders carried a huge burden as well and he moved as if it didn't affect him.

Fuck was he always that handsome?